Should Federal Minimum Wage be $15 an hour? The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 states that workers will be given a livable wage. By definition, a living wage is the minimum income necessary for a worker to meet basic needs. In the words of congress, it is “the minimum standard of living necessary for health, efficiency, and general well-being.” This poses the question: “Is the current minimum wage a livable wage?” The answer, unfortunately, comes back negative. The current federal minimum wage, at $7.25, is worth nearly 38 percent less compared to 1968 when the federal minimum wage was valued at its highest ($11.72 in 2016 dollars). Given the facts, it is justifiable to raise the federal minimum wage as it would amount to a more livable wage, stimulate the economy, and provide better circumstances for workers of color and women. One of the greatest effects of a $15 an hour minimum wage would be its impact on …show more content…
Women and ethnic minorities make up the largest group earning less than a $15 wage. According to NELP, Women workers make up about 54.7 percent of minimum wage workers. African Americans represent nearly 12 percent of the aggregate workforce, accounting for about 15 percent of the under-$15-wage workforce. Also, Latinos make up 16.5 percent of the workforce, however represent very nearly 23 percent of workers making under $15 an hour. With the workforce so disproportionally represented, these workers with the lowest paying job will greatly benefit from the change. In conclusion, a federal minimum wage increase will significantly improve the standard of living of low-wage workers. To meet their basic needs, workers must be given a living wage. It is not only morally correct to do so, but also beneficiary to both ends. The increase in wages allows for a more supportable income, but it also stimulates the economy. Raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour is the most beneficial
Yet, fast food where all one needs is either a GED or high school degree and no college requirement is needed wants to make $15 an hour. Which to choose: raise minimum wage or keep it the same at $7.50 an hour? States that have officially passed for minimum wage to $15 an hour are as follows: New York, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. New York’s minimum wage by the end of the year will be raised to $10.50 an hour and by the year 2018, the minimum wage will increase to $15 an hour. Seattle’s minimum wage will increase to $9.32 by the end of the year and will increase to the $15 an hour by 2017.
In his article “Elitist Arrogance,” Walter Williams discusses the effects that setting the minimum wage at fifteen dollars an hour would have on African American and low-skill workers. He states that during the 40s and 50s, more African American teens were active in the labor market and employed than white teens. Today, however, more white teens are employed and active in the labor market than black teens, and Walter believes that this is because higher minimum wages have caused companies to discriminate against low-skill workers, which is largely represented by African American teens. Minimum wage is a good policy that the Department of Labor has every right to enforce in every state. Setting a minimum wage attempts to assure that citizens will not be totally taken advantage of in the workforce.
In the article “A $15-Hour Minimum Wage Could Harm America’s Poorest Workers”, Harry J. Holzer outlines the effects of a fifteen dollar federal minimum wage. He interprets statistical data from different credible analyses and thoroughly explains the meaning of each. The author also does a great job informing us the results from past federal minimum wage increases. He recognizes that jobs will inescapably be lost; therefore, many people will be unemployed. While some citizens believe that a $15 raise will help the economy, the author comprehends the negative consequences of any federal minimum wage increase on the economy.
Raising the minimum wage, a topic that has been plaguing the nation for years has finally made its appearance in Los Angeles. Many people argue that raising the minimum wage is helping everyone, distributing the nation’s wealth more equally, but that is definitely not the case. Raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour in Los Angeles County is a double edged sword, helping many lower-income workers, but harming more middle class employees and employers. The intent of raising the minimum wage is to help many lower and middle class people. But, by raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour in Los Angeles County, the city is raising the standard wage by more than 50% within the span of 5 years.
Minimum wage would raise the wages of many workers and increment benefits what disadvantaged workers. An estimated 6.9 million workers would receive an incrementation in their hourly wage if the minimum rage were raised to $10.15 by 2015. Due to the spill over effect the 10.5 million workers earning up to a dollar above minimum wage would withal be liable to benefit from an incrementation. Women are the most astronomically immense group of beneficiaries from a minimum wage increase. Sixty percent of workers who would benefit from an incrementation are women.
The federal minimum wage should be increased because raising it would increase the economic activity and spur job growth, decrease poverty, and also improvements in productivity and economic growth have outpaced increases in the minimum wage. Increases in job growth and economic activity will happen when the minimum wage is elevated. If the minimum wage was increased it will “inject 22.1 billion net into the economy and create about 85,000 new jobs over a three year period”. (“Raising the Federal minimum Wage to $10.10 Would Lift Wages for Millions and Provide a Modest Economic Boost") Thousands of new jobs will be created and it will put billions of dollars into the economy.
Introduction More numbers of state are joining to take action to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour in a few years even though there is a high disputing controversial all over the nation. The federal has set the minimum wage level to $7.25 on Jan. 1, 2015. In less than a year the index number of the minimum wage is going up automatically with cost of living. And eventually it will be likely to increase year by year with automatic and expectation index.
Naturally the rise in the price for living shouldn't be a problem but when the minimum wages don't rise many people suffer. Minimum wages should be raised because it will save the government money, help lower income citizens eliminate poverty, and workers aren’t getting paid their worth. How would you survive if you didn't make enough money to live? A study by the Center for American Progress found that raising the minimum wage to $10.10 would help 3.5 million Americans get off food stamps (Rachel West and Michael Reich, 2014).
The fight for 15 has been a controversial topic in society for the past six years (since 2012), the conservatives and liberals are in the debate of which would be better for our country. “Democrats believe that the current minimum wage is a starvation wage and must be increased to a living wage,” (NBC). The current federal minimum wage is at $7.25, but senator Tom Hanks had created an act in the year of 2013 to raise it to the price of $10.10. Republicans are quite adamantly against this increase, to the point that the House unanimously voted down the proposed increase. “A large minimum wage increase will damage the economy.”
Minimum Wage There is not a minimum wage paying job that will let you earn enough money if we have unjust wages. The current federal minimum wage (FMW) is unlivable. It is too low for people to be able to have a decent life and afford most essentials. Raising the FMW will increase security in most aspects of life. The federal minimum wage should be raised to allow people to have stability in society and a livable wage.
I think the federal minimum wage should be increased. The minimum wage is basically the lowest wage permitted by law or a special agreement. In this essay, I will write about three reasons the minimum wage is good for us all. The first reason is because it helps those that are poor. The second reason is because it is good for the economy.
After being first implemented in the U.S. in 1938, minimum wage has been a major discussion for several years. Should it exist? If so, how much should it be? Should it be the same for everyone? All of these questions are heavily debated, and many people have different points of views Minimum wage can have both positive and negative effects.
Raise the Minimum Wage Many business owners argue that the minimum wage increase would only cause difficulties and make up their prices, but many workers support the minimum wage increase is necessary in order to help low-income workers dig out of poverty. Today, the real value of the minimum wage is about 20 percent less than when Reagan took office. Tipped workers have an even lower minimum wage: $ 2.13 per hour, unchanged from 1991. On average minimum wage worker full-time makes $ 14,500 a year, leaving too many families struggling to reach End of the month. A family of 3 living minimum wage is well below the poverty level
A minimum wage job is a starting point to a career, not the overall goal. Minimum wage should not be increased because prices will rise, employees may lose their jobs, and people will not have the urgency to achieve a higher level education. Increasing minimum wage will result in higher consumer prices because business owners will be forced to pass the cost of labor onto their customers. Having a higher minimum wage would make buying necessities difficult for people who are unemployed. Some teenagers are forced to obtain a job during school.
Seattle 3 years ago became one of the first states to incorporate the $15 dollars minimum wage. The first study by a team of researcher at the University of California, Berkeley study, that raising minimum wage to level would lead to at most a slight reduction in the employment rate. Moreover, the Berkeley study focused on the restaurant industry because some restaurant workers are paid minimum wage. For instance, for every 10% that minimum wage increased, wages in the restaurant industry rose 1%. As a result, there was no noticeable effect on employment.